Metallic bolometers with temperature dependent thermal impedance

Abstract

The paper gives the solution of a bolometer with thermal impedance, which is a general function of the temperature. The general solution is applied to a bolometer cooled by radiation for which the appropriate expressions fo the resistance, sensitivity and dynamic resistance are derived and the expression for the maximum sensitivity of this type of bolometers from nickel, platinum and electrolytical platinum is given. The case of a bolometer cooled by conduction through the air and radiation is solved as the case of a bolometer with several ways of cooling. The paper also gives a graphico-numerical method for determining all the important parameters of the bolometer from the measured dependence of the resistance on the electric power RI²; an example of the application of this method is given for a conduction and radiation cooled bolometer. Deviations from the theoretical course are explained by convection of heat caused by the flow of air along the bolometer due to the increase in temperature of the bolometer over that of its surroundings. The paper also gives the maximum attainable sensitivity of this type of bolometer and metallic bolometers in general.